Overview

Graduate Studies in Population Health at Thomas Jefferson University

Jefferson School of Population Health (JSPH) is the first School of Population Health in the country. It is dedicated to the exploration of policies and forces that determine the health and quality of life of populations locally, nationally and globally. It is one of six schools of Thomas Jefferson University (TJU), a private health sciences university located in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1824 as Jefferson Medical College, TJU is regarded as one of the nation's premier academic health centers.

Academic Degrees and Certificates offered through the Jefferson School of Population Health

The Jefferson School of Population Health offers the following academic programs: a Master of Public Health (MPH) (onsite); a Graduate Certificate in Public Health (onsite); a Master of Science in Population Health (MS-PopH) (online); Graduate Certificate in Population Health (online); a Master of Science in Health Policy (MS-HP) (online); a Graduate Certificate in Health Policy(online) ; a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety (MS-HQS) (online); a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety (online); a Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety Management (MS-HQSM) (online); a Master of Science in Applied Health Economics and Outcomes Research (MS-AHEOR) (online); a Graduate Certificate in Applied Health Economics and Outcomes Research (online); and a PhD in Population Health Sciences (onsite) with specializations in health policy, healthcare quality & safety, applied health economics and outcomes research, and behavioral/health sciences.

Master of Public Health (MPH) dual degree academic programs are available for students attending Thomas Jefferson University's medical, nursing and pharmacy schools (MD/MPH; MSN/MPH; PharmD/MPH), as well as through Widener University School of Law (JD/MPH), the Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research of Bryn Mawr College (MSS/MPH); and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine) (DO/MPH).

Master of Public Health and Graduate Certificate in Public Health

The Master of Public Health (MPH) degree program is a part-time or full-time experience intended for recent college graduates with majors in natural or social sciences, including pre-med or other pre-professional students seeking an educational experience during their gap or glide year; not-so-recent college graduates with relevant work experience wishing to make a career change; and practicing health professionals working in government, community health organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, and academia.

The MPH is a comprehensive program that develops competencies in five key areas of public health: behavioral and social sciences; biostatistics; environmental health; epidemiology; and health policy/advocacy. Graduates of the program are prepared to track disease outbreaks, conduct community health assessments, plan public health education programs, develop public health policies on environmental issues, advocate for government policy changes to increase public access to preventive health services, and direct campaigns to prevent infectious diseases.

The Certificate in Public Health enables working professionals in government or private sector health organizations to enhance their knowledge of public health practice. Credits earned for the certificate may be applied to the master's degree program.

Master of Science in Population Health and Graduate Certificate in Population Health

The part-time online Master of Science in Population Health (MS-PopH) is intended for experienced professionals in health-related fields assuming leadership positions in the emerging discipline of population health. Coursework provides a comprehensive foundation in new care-delivery structures, socioeconomic determinants of health, data analytics, health finance and economics, and the basics of healthcare quality and safety. The MS-PopH prepares professionals to respond to the challenges of today's rapidly evolving healthcare industry. Graduates will learn key skills including policy development, epidemiology, outcomes analysis, coalition building and stakeholder engagement. MS-PopH students also develop proficiency in the application of population health skills and principles, culminating in a capstone project where theory and lessons learned are applied in real-world settings.

The certificate program incorporates the core MS-PopH curriculum and is designed for students whose current situation requires greater understanding of population health principles. Credits earned for the certificate can be applied to the master's degree program.

Master of Science in Health Policy and Graduate Certificate in Health Policy

The Master of Science in Health Policy (MS-HP) program is a part-time online curriculum intended for students seeking a greater understanding of the vital role health policy plays in advancing population health at the local, regional, state and national levels. Graduates of the MS-HP program assume policy analysis and advocacy roles in healthcare provider organizations, integrated healthcare delivery systems, government offices, academic institutions, health services research firms, and community-based or advocacy organizations. Ideal candidates are experienced professionals working in the healthcare, legal or public policy fields who desire to learn the tools and techniques of health policy analysis, development and implementation, the structure, economic and legal foundation of the US healthcare system, research methodology and health informatics.

A Certificate in Health Policy is offered for professionals in all aspects of healthcare who want to enhance their knowledge of healthcare organization, delivery, and financing and to gain analytical skills to develop and implement health policy. Credits earned for the certificate can be applied to the master's degree program.

Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety and Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Quality and Safety

The part-time online Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety (MS-HQS) program offers a choice of U.S. or international tracks. It prepares national and international healthcare professionals -- providers, payers, purchasers and policymakers -- to achieve leadership positions in healthcare quality and safety and to be advocates in the design, implementation and dissemination of programs and policies that measurably improve healthcare quality and patient safety. The Certificate program prepares healthcare professionals to achieve proficiency in quality and safety project management. Credits earned for the certificate can be applied to the master's degree.

Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety Management

The part-time online Master of Science in Healthcare Quality and Safety Management (MS-HQSM) is intended for experience healthcare professionals with a) previous degrees (MBA, MHA) or graduate education in management/business or b) physician executives who have earned continuing education credits in business and management through the American Association of Physician Leadership (AAPL).

Master of Science in Applied Health Economics and Outcomes Research and Graduate Certificate in Applied Health Economics and Outcomes Research

The part-time online Certificate in Applied Health Economics and Outcomes Research prepares professionals to design, conduct, analyze, and critically interpret findings from economic evaluations of healthcare interventions. Credits earned for the certificate can be applied to the master's degree.

Doctoral Program in Population Health Sciences

The PhD in Population Health Sciences program prepares students to be scholars, researchers, educators, and health information specialists in core aspects of population health science. Candidates must complete 59 to 62 credits in core courses and 18 credits of specialization courses that include health policy, health care quality and safety, chronic care management, applied health economics, and behavioral and health sciences. Examinations and dissertations are also required.

Campus and Surroundings

Thomas Jefferson University's urban campus is situated in the heart of center city Philadelphia on 13 acres, within walking distance of dozens of cultural attractions, parks, museums, restaurants, theaters, recreational areas, and public transportation.

Online Learning at Jefferson School of Population Health

JSPH student and faculty work together in online courses carefully structured to maximize student learning while allowing for flexible schedules. All coursework is conducted asynchronously, with assignments completed over a weekly timeframe. Courses are designed to meet Quality Matters (QM) design standards (Quality Matters is a recognized national rubric for online learning), with weekly lessons that guide students in bringing new information and tools to authentic workplace problems. Courses are taught by practitioner faculty, industry experts able to address the most timely topics and in-demand skills in population health today.